Come Dancing waltzes through gate work

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Come Dancing had issues with the gate in each of her last two starts, so trainer Carlos Martin decided to work her from the starting gate Sunday morning as he prepares her for a start in the Grade 1 Ballerina on Aug. 24.

Come Dancing, under jockey Javier Castellano, popped out of the gate running and zipped five furlongs in 59.41 seconds over Saratoga’s main track. Come Dancing went her first three furlongs in 35.97 seconds and got her last three furlongs in 23.44. She then proceeded to gallop out six furlongs in 1:12.41, seven furlongs in 1:24.69, and a mile in 1:38.91.

“She was doing a little dance in the gate but she came out like a rocket,” Martin said. “She looked like she was in a high gallop. I think we’re ready to rock and roll. I’m excited.”

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Martin said Come Dancing had her head turned before the doors opened prior to the start of the Grade 2 Ruffian, which she still won by 6 3/4 lengths on May 5. Come Dancing stumbled at the start of the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps in which she finished second to Midnight Bisou. Martin said he also wanted Castellano, who will ride her for the first time in the Ballerina, to get acquainted with Come Dancing in the gate.

Following the work, Castellano said, “We’re going to have a lot of fun with her. She’s really tall, but she’s got a quick acceleration.”